Vanuatu’s recent referendum was an important first for the country, and Motueka was one of only five places in New Zealand to host a polling station for the historic event.
More than 350 ni-Vanuatu people turned up to vote at the Whakarewa St polling station between Friday, 31 May and Sunday, 2 June, coming from as far as Tapawera, Brightwater and Richmond to add their vote.
The first voters were an eager group from Birdhurst Orchards, says Motueka polling officer Robyn Aburn.
The referendum covered two proposed additions to the constitution, with the aim to increase political stability.
The first article states that any member of parliament (MP) who resigns or is terminated for ceasing to support a political party will have their seat automatically vacated.
The second states that all MPs must be affiliated to a political party and there can be no single MP party in parliament.
The articles have already been passed by parliament and the referendum result, not yet released at the time of publication, will dictate whether they come into effect or are rescinded. The referendum occurs after many years of political instability in Vanuatu, causing public discontent.
In a comment translated from their native Bislama, one voter stated that it was “good to have a polling station in New Zealand because a lot of the time when seasonal workers travel overseas they hear about political issues back home and they want to exercise their right to vote. Before they had to vote by proxy, but this is much easier”.
Of the five polling stations – the others being in Tepuke, Hastings, Blenheim and Cromwell – Motueka counted the fourth-most votes. A total of 2590 votes were cast overall, with the five ballot boxes arriving in Vila for counting on Friday, 7 June.
The Vanuatu High Commission offered online thanks to both governments and the electoral commission for supporting Vanuatu in the referendum.
“Thank you to the Electoral Office and Vanuatu government for giving NZ-based citizens the honour of participating in the first-ever referendum and first-ever elections, in NZ.”
Ni-Vanuatu people make up more than 40 per cent of the country’s recognised seasonal employer (RSE) workers, followed by Samoans and Tongans.
